The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-26
BEN-HUR.s GREAT RACE.
The Powerful Word Picture from Gen. Lew
Wallace's Book Reproduced on Canvas.

The Powerful Word-Picture from Gen. Lew
Wallace's Book Reproduced on Canvas.
Chicago Herald
One of the most animated and artistic word
pictures in literature is the chariot race in BEN
Hur" horse-race is always an exciting spec
tacle, even TO those who have no special interest
in che contestants. Under such crcums tances
one unconsciousiy selects some one of the horses
for whose success he wishes, and for which, as
the trial is almost ended, and the excitement of
the crowd becomes infectious. he shouts and al
most prays. But when the spectators per-
eonaliy interested in the various horses. when
large of money involved. and when
the faith of tho different parties is great they
are willing and anxious to SUPPORT it with still
greater sums. the excitement Is increased ton
fold. All this element of interest, and
more: the author OF Ben Hur' adds
reader acquainte first with the two principal!
contestants. and exctes his 81 mpathies especial
" IN behalf of one Of them. Besides the mere
interest in the conteat itself, the righsiug Of
wrong, the punishment of insolence, the melting
out Of justice. all depend the issue. The
dramatic attraction of duel is centered in it
Besides all this. the principal actors in this
scene belong to different and antaeonistic races.
who add all the fervor of prejudice TO the
enthusiasm with which they champion their
favorites The word-picture is familiar to all
lovers OF fiction. and Yet. perhaps that 10 too
broad a statement In the public library
there dozen copies of tho novel,
and great is the demand for the book.
it is almost impossible to get Of them.
Messiah is a Roman, Ben Hur jew The
decided by the chariot race. can only De under
stood by reading the novel. Messala's horses
are OF undoubted proves. They have already
been victors at the Circus Maximus at Rome.
The skill of their driver is well known Ben
Hur ie not we'll known He is himself a dark
horse; his Arabian bays have never before been
entered. 1t seems almost impossible for them
to win, but, to add sufficient likelihood to the
venture to awaken interest in the reader, the
author describes their training by the Jew, and
hints at some of their high bred qualities. He
n Ia so M N
bian steed with one or two vigorous touches OF
the pen. "Small head. luminous eyes. neck
like the segment of q Bonded bow. and mighty
chest, curtaned thickly by profusion of name.
soft and wavy damsel's locks" The day
approaches when the exciting contest is
The evening before Ben-Hur awakens
great interest in himself by causing
immense sums of money to be wacered in his
of whom is represented by a color which all
Of his we'll wishers wear. The Jews color il
white, the Romans colors are scarlet aud gold,
and SO we'll does Ben Hur succeed In attracting
attention to himself that the white badges hold
their own with those of scarlet and gold worn
on the day of the games. The day arrives. At
rabbe rush in doze their time and
breakfast in their seats. There they BIT and
wait patiently till the other trials OF skill are
over. The great contest does not begin till
o'clock in the afternoon. AT that time the
wealthy. who have reserved seats arrive. Tho
race itself. the dash for position the exciting
following. the sudden discontinue Of some Of
the contestants, and the dropping out OF
others. Ben-Hurs final dash and the brilliant
move by which he not only wins tho chariot
race but overthrows his enemy, all these things
must be read in General Waliace's narrative to
be understood. 1t is a brilliant word picture,
and fitting though difficult subject for the
brush of the PAINTER. painter has attempted
to bring this scene before the eye and has done
the subject justice.
In one of the rooms of the Washington Park
Clubhouse is to be seen E. J. Austin's Ben
Hur's Chariot Race" So realistic is this work Of
art. it seems almost though photographer
had caught the scene right in the critical mo-
ment, when en-Hur is overthrOwine bis enemy.
At the right are seen the high walls of the cir
Gus, the wild and shouting popuiace on the seats
being dimly visible through the clouds of dust;
the left the three pillars. the last difficult
turn around which marked the victory won. In
the back ground. dimiy visible through the cloud
of dust is the astonished charioteer who has
managed to come in third. ont who seems TO be
refining in his horses to keep clear of the desper-
ate work in front of him; in the foreground are
the eight steeds and the two drivers. Ben-Hur
has suddenly Weakened his wild Arabs to their
best efforts; has suddenly called forth the reserve
of power he has been saving while his opponent
has been urging his steeds TO their utmost;
with magnificent stride the Arabs dash
past the Roman horses. taking off Mes
sala's chariot wheel as they 60. The naughty
Roman is thrown headlong. the Jew stands
erect, the very picture of GOODNESS and con-
scious power. The painting is one Of great
power and vigorous action, well as of perfec-
tion of historical detail. Every one of thu
Arabian horses seems to be flying through the
air, every line of form and OF expression is full
of determination and of victory. The one a.
the right, perhaps. Is best of all: he hugs the
earth, skimming along it's surface in one long.
flying leap; ears thrown back. eyes dlated, nos.
trils distendcd. Messala's steeds. the other
hand, seem overcome by surprise They seem
to be rather rearing in the air than accomplish
ing anything: their attitudes and general ex-
preston betoken confusion. The picture was
painted in Chicago. It seems very appropriate
in the Washington Park Clubhouse as It calls
. mind wildly the antiquity of racing as
pastime. and the difference between the sport
two thousand years ago and the way 1t II con-
Quoted to-day.